Active countermeasures systems and methods

• US 9,346,427 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2013
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tencate Advanced Armor Design, Inc. (Koninklijke Ten Cate NV)
• Original Assignee: TenCate Advanced Armor USA, Inc. (Koninklijke Ten Cate NV)
• Inventors: Dobriski, Josef Stefan, Hansen, Andrew Roger, Riisgaard, Benjamin, Sagebiel, Erick James, Svane, Joergen Leif, Taylor, Marc David, Welker, Victor Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): LANG, MICHAEL DEAN
• Application Number:
  US13/909,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251616A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 7/042 Floors or base plates for increased land mine protection
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/02 characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/02 Cartridges, i.e. cases with charge and missile
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 19/08 Primers initiators for blasting cartridges F42B3/10; ignition means for rocket engine plants F02K9/95; Detonators
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/04 Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition F42B39/14 and F42B39/20 take precedence ; extracting primers, dismantling ammunition F42B33/04, F42B33/06 ; chemical deactivating of explosives C06B21/0091; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/045 Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means

Abstract

Described are systems and methods for actively countering certain forces experienced by, for example, a person within a vehicle. Adverse effects of blast waves of a mine or other explosive device (including improvised explosive devices [IEDs]) may be mitigated by the countermeasures systems, which may include any or all of a first responder unit (FRU), a control display assembly (CDA), processors, sensors, and an electronic safe and arm device (ESAD). Each component assembly may be incorporated into a line replaceable unit (LRU) if desired, although such incorporation is not necessary.

Claims

1. A force-countering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a. a first sensor configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle;

b. a processor directly or indirectly communicating with the sensor so as to receive data therefrom;

c. an arming device directly or indirectly communicating with the processor so as to receive data therefrom;

d. a power control assembly comprising plural switches which, when closed in a pre-determined sequence during a pre-determined time period, provide power directly or indirectly to the arming device; and

e. a first countermeasure (i) configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle and (ii) comprising a first mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device.

3. A force-countering system according to claim 1 in which the sensor senses an acceleration of the vehicle.

4. A force-countering system according to claim 1 in which the first countermeasure comprises a cartridge comprising a housing containing the first mass and a charge.

5. A force-countering system according to claim 1 further comprising a bank of barrels configured to receive the first countermeasure.

6. A force-countering system according to claim 1 further comprising an initiator and a detonation cord connecting the arming device and the first countermeasure.

7. A force-countering system according to claim 1 in which the first mass either is disintegrable following ejection or comprises multiple disintegrated particles.

8. A force-countering system according to claim 1 further comprising a second sensor located remote from the first sensor.

9. A force-countering system according to claim 1 further comprising a second countermeasure (a) located remote from the first countermeasure and (b) comprising a second mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device.

10. A force-countering system according to claim 9 in which the second mass may be ejected independently of ejection of the first mass.

2. A force-countering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a. a first sensor configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle;

b. a processor directly or indirectly communicating with the sensor so as to receive data therefrom;

c. an arming device directly or indirectly communicating with the processor so as to receive data therefrom;

d. a power control assembly comprising plural switches which, when closed in a pre-determined sequence during a pre-determined time period, provide power directly or indirectly to the arming device;

e. a first countermeasure (i) configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle and (ii) comprising a first mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device; and

f. a power switch accessible externally of the vehicle and which, when opened, prevents powering of the arming device.

11. A force-countering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a. a first sensor configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle;

b. a processor directly or indirectly communicating with the sensor so as to receive data therefrom;

c. an arming device directly or indirectly communicating with the processor so as to receive data therefrom;

d. a power control assembly comprising plural switches which, when closed in a pre-determined sequence during a pre-determined time period, provide power directly or indirectly to the arming device, in which the plural switches comprise (i) a non-momentary switch, (ii) a momentary switch, and (iii) an arm enable switch covered by a movable cover; and

e. a first countermeasure (i) configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle and (ii) comprising a first mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device.

12. A force-countering system according to claim 11 in which power is provided to the arming device when the non-momentary switch is closed first, the momentary switch is closed second, and the arm enable switch is closed third.

13. A force-countering system according to claim 12 in which power is provided to the arming device when the non-momentary switch is closed first, the momentary switch is closed second, and the arm enable switch is closed third within 0.5-6 seconds after closure of the momentary switch.

14. A force-countering system for a vehicle, comprising:

a. first and second sensors configured (i) for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle and (ii) to sense an acceleration of the vehicle;

b. a processor directly or indirectly communicating with the first and second sensors so as to receive data therefrom;

c. an arming device directly or indirectly communicating with the processor so as to receive data therefrom;

d. a power control assembly comprising plural switches which, when closed in a pre-determined sequence during a pre-determined time period, provide power directly or indirectly to the arming device;

e. a first countermeasure (i) configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle and (ii) comprising a first cartridge comprising a first housing containing a first charge and a first mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device; and

f. a second countermeasure (i) configured for direct or indirect connection to or integration into the vehicle, (ii) comprising a second cartridge comprising a second housing containing a second charge and a second mass ejectable relative to the vehicle following command of the arming device, the second mass being ejectable independently of the first mass.

15. A force-countering system according to claim 14 further comprising third and fourth countermeasures.

16. A force-countering system according to claim 15 in which each of the first, second, third, and fourth countermeasures comprises multiple cartridges.

17. A force-countering system according to claim 16 further comprising first, second, third, and fourth banks of barrels for containing, respectively, the first, second, third, and fourth countermeasures.